Clayton (6-foot-3, 202 pounds), who is from the Los Angeles area, was electrifying as a kick returner in 2012, averaging 30.4 yards on 20 returns and scoring twice. But he had just six receptions in three seasons with the Lobos. Clayton, who also saw time as a backup running back during his career, missed a lot of action last season with a knee injury.

Lipford (6-3, 255) -- who was listed on North Carolina's 2014 roster Wednesday -- had been expected to be a starter for UNC this season. He had 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss for the Tar Heels in three seasons; he missed the 2012 season with a knee injury.

Ross (6-5, 360) could interest some teams because of his size. He played his high school ball in Norfolk, Va., and received some recruiting attention from FBS schools before ending up at Virginia-Lynchburg, a Division II program, because of academics. He also missed the 2012 season for academic reasons.

Shead (6-2, 230) signed with Texas out of high school in 2010. He was a consensus top-15 running back nationally out of tiny Cayuga (Texas) High, where he set a state high school record for career TDs (141) and was second all-time in state history in rushing yards (10,291). He signed with Texas in February 2010, redshirted that fall, then played sparingly in 2011 (five games, no carries). He transferred to Navarro College in 2012, where he rushed for 1,194 yards and 17 touchdowns, then signed with SMU in December 2012. He was expected to start for the Mustangs last season, but injuries and mediocre play kept him on the bench.